Bill Text: IL HR1171 | 2011-2012 | 97th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Gwendolyn Hayes.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2012-08-17 - Resolution Adopted [HR1171 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2011-HR1171-Introduced.html

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HR1171 LRB097 21971 GRL 70693 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Gwendolyn
Hayes, who passed away on June 23, 2012; and
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes was born on June 30, 1936, in
Summerlee, West Virginia; her parents were Reverend Walter N.
Harris and Emma V. (Loving) Harris; she married Henry E. Hayes
in June of 1962; and
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes attended the First Baptist Church
of Summerlee, where she accepted Christ at an early age; and
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes graduated with honors in 1954 from
DuBois High School in Mount Hope, West Virginia; after trying
to attend college in West Virginia, she decided to relocate to
Chicago, where she joined her first cousin, Margaret; after
arriving in Chicago, she began to take night courses at DePaul
University while working by day; she eventually found work as
the first black keypunch machine operator for Reese Finer
Foods; and
WHEREAS, After completing her accounting studies at Wright
Junior College and Northwestern University, Gwendolyn Hayes
and her husband decided to venture into business for

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themselves; during this time, she opened an accounting office
on Chicago's West Side and began to invest in real estate;
throughout the years, she owned many businesses, including G &
H Hayes Management Service, the Sting-Rey, and the Chateau; she
was also the first female CEO of the WVON radio station; and
WHEREAS, After achieving her goals in life, Gwendolyn Hayes
decided to focus on her work for the Lord and returned home to
West Virginia, where she devoted herself to many activities
within her church; she held various titles at the church,
including superintendent of the Sunday School, Financial
Secretary and Board Trustee, Banquet Committee Chairman,
Corresponding Secretary, N.R.V.M. Missionary Clerk, and
N.R.V.M. Baptist Association Clerk; she was also the Treasurer
at the West Virginia Baptist Credit Union Association at the
Hilltop Baptist Center; and
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes was recognized by various
community organizations, newspapers, city officials, and
politicians, including former Mayor of Chicago, Harold
Washington; she was also the recipient of numerous awards,
including the Outstanding and Dedicated Community Service
Award, the Neighborhood Business Person of the Year, and the
Revlon and Black Woman Hall of Fame Foundation 1988 Bethune
Tubman Truth Award, among many others; and

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WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes was preceded in death by her
brother, Walter J. Harris (Babe); and
WHEREAS, Gwendolyn Hayes is survived by her husband, Henry;
her two children, Anita (Anthony) and Brian (Yolanda Renee),
her grandchildren, Qiana (Robert Eric), Donte (Willie), Toni,
LeNa, Avyance, Brian Jr., and Jayla; her great-grandchildren,
Elijah Tyrique, Eric Andrew, TaZaria Aquice, and Zion Amir; her
play mother, Leana Phillips; and her many nieces and nephews,
other family members, and friends; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn, along with her family and friends, the passing of
Gwendolyn Hayes; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Gwendolyn Hayes as an expression of
our sympathy.